SI Mag 3.3

23 www.SullivansIslandMagazine.com | www.SullivansIslandHomes.com Glass Half Full Local Artisan Austin Norvell B eneath dust and debris, objects of the past call to the thrifter and drifter in all of us. It’s the reason we pull over for a yard sale or comb through shelves of milk glass and vinyl at our local second-hand store. For artist Austin Norvell, remnants of yesteryear are just one of his many muses. In his latest collection, appropriately titled “Loaded,” he immortalizes heaps of what some would view as trash and others as treasure, making the passed-over pristine, tiny glass trucks filled to the brim with miniature bottles, corncobs, barrels, starfish, shells, orange slices and the occasional dog pay homage to both the bounty and the burden. “My affinity for old objects began as a child wandering through my grandfather’s multiple sheds in his yard on Sullivan’s Island,” said Norvell. “From antique fishing gear to vintage tools, I often wondered about the previous lives of the objects and their past owners.” Norvell’s work is multilayered. The very fact that these scaled- down packed vehicles are composed of a material that would easily chip when faced with a hard blow speaks to the fragility of the human existence. Keepsakes of translucent blue, luminous green or burnt orange are stacked haphazardly into truck beds, looking like one roll over a speed bump would send them airborne. The scene deepens when we consider the role sand plays in the production of glass. Norvell, a beach-side dweller, works with a material that simply wouldn’t exist without the grains he grew up around. “The Lowcountry has brought endless inspiration to my production and commission work,” said Norvell. “Flea markets, thrift stores and my own personal collection of objects bring inspiration for my conceptual work.” By Kalene McCort In addition to making glass pieces, Norvell has crafted a line of bronze crab-claw oyster knifes under his production line: Melt Glass Foundry. Lately, he has been collecting inspiration from his family tree. His grandfather moved to Sullivan’s Island in 1963 and volunteered as a firefighter. Norvell even crashed in the bunks as a youngster when his grandfather would jet out on a call. “I’m currently working on two new series of conceptual work,” said Norvell. “The first is composed of cast glass relics of my grandfather’s time in the military. It includes glass replications of his awards, badges, uniforms and photographs from World War II. The second is inspired by the architecture of Charleston and the hands that crafted the buildings in the historic city. I will have a show with both of these projects in the beginning of 2018.” At the root of Norvell’s work is a desire to connect with the viewer. From his oyster knives to his intricate glass pieces, an air of authenticity and nostalgia surface. A craftsman of the everyday, he transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. This self-described “custodian of stuff” has even been known to drop tiny bottles possessing messages into the Atlantic, in the hopes that they would be fished out by some shell seeker or surfer. While he dabbles with many mediums, there’s one whose pull never wanes. “I love the challenge of working with glass, one of the most difficult and unforgiving materials,” said Norvell. “It is also one of the most beautiful and versatile materials. Glass is my life.” To purchase Norvell’s art, log on to www.meltglassfoundry. com or visit www.austinnorvellart.com to learn more. [ Feature ] Photos by Ben Lerman.